Blood in the Urine
Can blood thinners cause blood in urine?
What is the short answer?
They can make bleeding more likely.
But blood thinners usually uncover a problem rather than cause it.
What else should I know?
It still needs checking.
Don't stop your medicine on your own.
When should I make an appointment?
Get checked.
What happens at a visit?
Our two Gwinnett offices each include a surgery center: Snellville at 1557 Janmar Rd, Snellville, GA 30078 and Lawrenceville at 501 Crown Pointe Way, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Let us know which part of the county you call home, and we’ll take it from there.
How do our urologists approach this?
Even if you take a blood thinner, our Gwinnett urologists want to find out why there’s blood in your urine. A blood thinner can make bleeding easier to see, but there is usually a reason for it, such as an infection, a stone, an enlarged prostate or sometimes something in the bladder or kidney. We look at the whole picture and coordinate with the doctor who prescribes your blood thinner. We never ask you to stop it on your own.
What happens at a visit?
Most people have a urine test, and many also need kidney imaging and cystoscopy, a short look at the bladder with a slim scope. Bring the name and dose of your blood thinner and a list of your other medicines. We’ll explain each test before we do it.
How should I prepare?
Bring your blood thinner’s name and dose. Note when you saw blood and what color it was.
When should I call?
Call us if the blood comes back or the urine turns darker red. If you pass clots, can’t urinate or feel dizzy, go to the ER.
What do patients often ask?
These are the questions we hear most, each with a short answer.
Should I stop my blood thinner?
No. Please don’t stop it on your own. We’ll work with the doctor who prescribes it if any change is needed.
Is there a video on this?
Watch this episode for a plain-language look at hematuria and its causes.
- Watch: #001 - Hidden Clues: Understanding Blood in the Urine What the video covers: A podcast episode on microscopic hematuria, blood in the urine that is visible just under a microscope, and the causes it can point to, such as infection, kidney stones or cancer.
What should I read next?
Educational content; your own care plan comes from a visit. Back to the reading room